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Raleigh's bright minds head top-tier technology, education and life science institutions; its artists create a bevy of cultural and culinary touchstones; and its storytellers proudly carry on the collective heritage of a rich, historic capital city …more

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Best known for its world-class museums, best of Broadway shows and live concerts, capital area historic sites, professional and amateur sporting events and shopping mecca status with 11 major retail areas, Raleigh, N.C., truly offers a variety of entertainment all in one park-like, scenic setting. …more

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Raleigh, N.C., is an affordable escape, whether you are getting away for a weekend or even escaping during your downtime while here on business. The area's hospitality partners have put together some added incentives, though, to keep you coming back again to visit. …more

Raleigh, NC - In a report released today, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau announced
a significant increase in Occupancy, Occupancy Collections and Prepared Food and Beverage Collections
in July.

In July, Wake County's hotels had an occupancy rate of 64.8 percent, an 8.8 percent increase over July
2009. Year to date, occupancy is 58.2 percent, compared to 56.2 percent for the previous year to date;
an increase of 3.6 percent as reported by Smith Travel Research, an independent research company
serving the hospitality industry.

Occupancy tax collections totaled $1.2 million in July, an 11.2 percent increase over July 2009. Year to
date, Wake County has experienced a 3.1 percent increase in occupancy collections.

Much of the increase can be attributed to July being a record-breaking month of meetings, conventions
and sports events in Wake County. In all, 12 major meetings and conventions, as well as 10 national
sports events brought more than 41,000 attendees to the area, collectively producing an estimated
economic impact of $20 million.

July welcomed the largest convention that the Raleigh area has hosted to date when Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity Inc. held its 76th International Grand Conclave with 15,000 attendees and an estimated
economic impact of $7.2 million. Other notable events included:

Occupancy rates weren't the only figures which saw an increase, Prepared Food and Beverage Collections totaled approximately $1.5 million in July, a significant 2.3 percent increase over last July and .67 percent year to date.

"We are thrilled with the occupancy and collection numbers," stated Denny Edwards, president and
CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. "July was a huge month for the Raleigh area, not only to prove that we are ready to successfully host a large number of groups and attendees, but that they are a positive economic driver, bring millions of dollars into the local economy."

*Conventions, meetings and sports events mentioned in the release are only those associated with
GRCVB Sales and Sports Marketing. Individual venues and accommodations also host meetings and
events and do not factor into the above figures for number of meetings, conventions and sporting events held in Wake County.